Woman Maoist leader with Rs 5 lakh reward on head surrenders

Malkaniri: A woman Maoist, with a reward of Rs 5 lakh on her head, surrendered to the police in Malkangiri district on Saturday.

Deve Padiami alias Sandhya, 'deputy commander' of newly formed Gupteswar Dalam of the Maoists who had deserted camp two days ago, surrendered to the Inspector General of Police Y K Jethwa and Superintendent of Police Akhilesswar Singh here.

Sandhya was waiting for an opportunity to desert camp after the arrest of her husband Kela Anil Kumar alias Chandu, a Maoist state committee member, two months ago, Singh said.

The threat of being sidelined in the organisation for being a woman leader might have driven her to lay down arms, he said.

She would be rehabilitated as per the government policy for surrendered Maoists, Singh said.

Sandhya, who is also known as Navida among the cadres, was involved in the last 16 years in attack on the armoury at Koraput, attack on the police station at G Udayagiri, Damanjodi, Janiguda and the killing of BSF commandant.